Types of Lip Piercings and Their Names: A Guide to Labret, Monroe, Medusa and Bites

Many people searching for “lip piercing” actually mix up the names of different placements: what is the difference between Monroe and Madonna, is a labret done on the lip, how many piercings are snake bites? In this guide we have gathered lip piercing types in one table, with their names, placements, healing times and jewelry options. For the lip piercings we do at our studio in Ümraniye, you can also see our lip piercing page.

Lip piercing types table

Placements around the mouth can vary from person to person; the lip line, tooth alignment and facial symmetry determine the final point. So even with the same name, two people may not be pierced at exactly the same spot.

Lower lip piercings: the labret family

Labretis placed in the center of the lower lip, just below the lip line, and is the most familiar of all lip piercings. Side labret sits on one side of the lip following the same logic. Vertical labret passes vertically through the lip; both ends are visible on the outside and the jewelry does not touch the inside of the mouth. We explain the difference between these three styles in detail in our labret piercing guide, side labret and vertical labret articles.

Ashleyis a piercing that passes through the exact center of the lower lip and exits inside the mouth; because it goes through lip tissue, swelling is usually more noticeable than with a labret, and it may not be recommended for people whose lip anatomy is not suitable.

Upper lip piercings: Monroe, Madonna, Medusa

Monroeis placed on the upper left side of the upper lip and takes its name from the famous beauty-mark look; the equivalent on the right side is called Madonna . When both are done together, they are called angel bites . Medusa (philtrum) is placed in the exact center of the groove between the upper lip and the nose. For details, take a look at our Monroe piercing and Medusa piercing guides.

Inside-the-mouth piercings: smiley and frowny

Smileyis placed on the thin tissue that connects the upper lip to the gums (frenulum) and is only visible when you smile. The equivalent on the lower lip frenulum is called frowny . Because this tissue is thin, it may not suit everyone; the thickness of the frenulum is checked before piercing. More about the smiley in our smiley piercing guide.

Double-piercing combinations: the bites family

Names ending in “bites” are combinations in which two or more piercings are placed in a specific pattern. Snake bites are placed symmetrically on both sides of the lower lip and are the best-known double piercing (snake bites guide). Spider bites are two piercings side by side on the same side of the lower lip. Dolphin bites are two piercings close to each other in the center of the lower lip, canine bites are four piercings on both sides of the lower and upper lip. When several piercings are done at once, swelling and the aftercare load increase too; we cover this topic in our how many piercings you can get at once article.

Healing times

Because the lip area has a high blood supply, swelling is noticeable in the first days, but healing is faster than ear cartilage. For styles such as labret, Monroe and Medusa, healing is usually between 6–8 weeks and 2–3 months; piercings that pass through lip tissue, such as vertical labret and Ashley, may take a little longer. Inside-the-mouth piercings such as the smiley heal quickly but are sensitive to jewelry movement because of the thin tissue. For week-by-week expectations, see piercing aftercare calendar article.

Jewellery choice and downsizing

For lip piercings, the first jewelry is deliberately chosen a little long to leave room for swelling. Once the swelling goes down, the long bar moves inside the mouth, and rubbing against the teeth and gums increases. That’s why a check-up to shorten the jewelry (downsizing) is usually booked around weeks 2–4. A flat disc on the part inside the mouth reduces rubbing; for thread types, our internally threaded and threadless jewellery article will guide you. Standard surgical steel jewelry is used; for those who prefer titanium jewelry, details are in titanium piercing jewellery .

Lip piercing aftercare

• Outer surface: Clean gently twice a day with sterile saline; do not pick off crusts.
• Inside the mouth: Rinse your mouth with an alcohol-free mouthwash or salt water after meals.
• Diet: In the first days, limit spicy, very hot and acidic foods; eat in small bites. The details in the diet guidewe prepared for tongue piercings also apply here.
• Habits: Playing with the jewelry, tapping it against your teeth, and kissing or smoking in the first weeks can make healing harder (alcohol and smoking after a piercing).

If the swelling keeps increasing after a few days, the jewelry seems to be sinking into the tissue, or there is intense redness, fever or foul-smelling discharge, see a healthcare provider without delay. This article is for general information and does not replace medical advice. To tell the signs apart, see infection or irritation article.

Prices

Our studio prices, listed one by one, are as follows (standard surgical steel jewelry included):

Titanium jewelry is 350 TL; if titanium jewelry is used for the piercing, 350 TL is added to the procedure price (example: labret 550 + 350 = 900 TL). For double-piercing styles, the price depends on the number of piercings. For all prices, see prices page.

Book

Cadde Piercing Studio is located in Ümraniye Çarşı, Istanbul (İstiklal Mah. Mithatpaşa Cad. No:7B). Opening hours: Monday–Saturday 10:00–20:30, Sunday 11:00–20:00. To book, use appointment page or call +90 533 250 01 77. We describe our hygiene practices on the studio hygiene page.

FAQ

What are the types of lip piercings?

The main single lip piercing types are labret, vertical labret, side labret, Monroe, Madonna, Medusa (philtrum), Ashley, Jestrum, smiley and frowny. Double-piercing combinations are known by names such as snake bites, spider bites, angel bites, dolphin bites and canine bites.

Which lip piercing is the most popular?

The most requested styles at studios are usually labret, Monroe and snake bites. However, which one suits you depends on your lip shape, your tooth alignment and the jewelry you want to wear; checking the placement together with your piercer before choosing is recommended.

How long does a lip piercing take to heal?

Labret and similar lip piercings usually heal in 6–8 weeks to 2–3 months. Vertical labret and styles that pass through lip tissue may take a little longer. Healing varies from person to person; even if it looks fine from the outside, the inner tissue recovers later.

Can a lip piercing damage your teeth?

If the jewelry constantly rubs against a tooth or the gums, there can be a risk of wear and gum recession. To reduce this risk, using flat-disc labret jewelry, shortening the jewelry after the swelling goes down (downsizing) and regular dental check-ups are recommended.

How much does a lip piercing cost?

At Cadde Piercing Studio, lip, labret and smiley piercings are 550 TL (standard surgical steel jewelry included). If titanium jewelry is preferred, 350 TL is added to the procedure price; for example, labret 550 + 350 = 900 TL. For double-piercing styles, the price depends on the number of piercings.

What is the difference between snake bites and spider bites?

Snake bites are two piercings placed symmetrically on both sides of the lower lip. Spider bites are two piercings close to each other on the same side of the lower lip. Since both are double piercings, extra care with oral hygiene is needed during healing.

Updated: 12 November 2026

This content is for general information only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.